Improvement in keys for accordions



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FERDINAND ZOGBAUM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN KEYS FOR ACCORDIONS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 201,974, dated April 2, 1878; application filed December 17, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FERDINAND ZOGBAUM, of the city, coimty, and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Keys for Accordions, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to accordions and similar musical instruments; and consists in an improved construction of the keys.

The accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, show, in Figure 1, a sectional perspective view of the top board and bridge of an accordion with my improved keys adjusted in place. Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof. Fig. 3 is aplan view of a blank, and Fig. 4 a rear View of the key.

The keys of accordions and similar musical instruments have heretofore been constructed in several parts. The more common form consists of an upright wooden lever pivoted to the bridge, and spring-seated in its longitudinal recess, the valve being connected to said lever by means of a wire. Keys so constructed are liable to rupture, their valves frequently breaking away from the fasteningwires, the latter becoming loosened from the levers by the jar caused in their use, while the wire spring generally used, and which is secured in place by one of its ends entering a hole punched in the wooden lever, oftentimes becomes displaced. Either of these disarrangements of the parts renders the instrument useless for the time being, and renders repair necessary.

It is the purpose of my invention to remove these defects in the keys, and the same are therefore constructed practically of a single piece of material.

In carrying out the invention I prefer to make the lever portion E and the valve portion 0 from a single piece of sheet metal, such as a blank of the form shown in Fig. 3, the lever portion E of which is bent on the lines 1 2, so as to form wings a a, which not only stiffen the same, but also form a recess, in .Which the arm d of the spring at cis supported against lateral displacement, as in Fig. 4.

This blank is perforated with holes 3 4 in its wing portions, through which passes the wire which fastens the key and its spring in place in the bridge.

Another hole, 5, is punched in the end of the lever portion, for the purpose of receiving a screw, 7, (see Fig. 2,) which holds the finger-piece D in place. With its wings a a bent rearward, and the lever E bent forward at the neck H, the key is of the form shown in Fig. 2, which adapts it to fit the proper parts of the instrument. Thus formed, its lever portion is entered through the lateral openings in the bridge, and is protruded into the longitudinal recess therein, so that the said levers stand upright in said recess, when they are secured by a wire, I, which is entered through holes in the end pieces of the bridge, and passes through the holes 3 at in each of the levers of a bank of keys, with which these instruments are provided.

The springs d o are adjusted in place in the longitudinal recess of the bridge by means of this wire I, which passes through their eyes, as at 6, Fig. 2, and the springs are thus held so that one arm, d, sustained be tween the wings a a, rests against the rear side of the lever E, while the arm 0 rests against the wall 9 of the said bridge. The keys are thus pressed outward, so that their valves 0 are held upon and close the air-duct F.

The finger-piece D is also formed of metal, having a shank, 8, of the proper size to play freely in a hole, 10, cut through the wall 11 of the bridge, and provided with a flange, 12, which is larger than said hole 10, whereby the said finger-piece may have its movement limited. Said finger-piece is provided with a screw-socket on its rear end, which fits the screw 7, fastened in the hole 5 at the upper end of the lever E, and may thus be readily attached thereto.

In its operation this key does not diifer from that of the ordinary key. Any other suitable material maybe employed; but, from its cheapness, strength, and the facility with which it may be worked, metal is preferred.

A key constructed according to my invention not only cheapens the cost of an instrument, and is less bulky and lighter than the common construction, but is chiefly desirable '3. In combination with the lever E of a key thescrew 7 and finger-piece D, having a screw-socket substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribin g .witnesses.

FERDINAND ZOGBAUM.

Witnesses H. T. MUNsoN, GEO. H. GRAHAM. 

